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Klipsch’s new Reference Premiere III speakers are due at retailers this month, and the company’s first compact sealed Reference Premiere subwoofers follow in November. The subs are the more interesting news for us: Klipsch’s big Reference Premiere subs have always been ported, and these new “CSW” models promise deep bass from much smaller boxes.
- Three compact sealed subs: RP-1200CSW (12-inch, 400 W RMS, $849.99), RP-1400CSW (14-inch, 500 W, $1,099.99) and RP-1600CSW (16-inch, 800 W, $1,499.99).
- Klipsch quotes response down to 17, 15 and 14.5 Hz (±3 dB) respectively.
- Each has dual RCA/LFE inputs and a port for the WA-2 wireless kit.
- Reference Premiere III speakers: October 2026. Compact subs: November 2026.
The compact subwoofers
| RP-1200CSW | RP-1400CSW | RP-1600CSW | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver | 12″ Cerametallic | 14″ Cerametallic | 16″ Cerametallic |
| Amplifier (RMS / peak) | 400 / 800 W | 500 / 1,000 W | 800 / 1,600 W |
| Response (±3 dB) | 17–160 Hz | 15–180 Hz | 14.5–175 Hz |
| Size (H×W×D) | 15.7 × 14.8 × 16.4″ | 17.5 × 16.6 × 16.6″ | 19.2 × 18.3 × 18.3″ |
| Weight | 47.7 lb | 59.7 lb | 78.8 lb |
| MSRP | $849.99 | $1,099.99 | $1,499.99 |
Why this is a notable shift for Klipsch
Klipsch subs have traditionally been ported: lively, punchy and great value for home theater, but big. Sealed boxes this size usually trade away deep-bass output, so Klipsch is leaning on very long-throw drivers and powerful amps to compensate. On paper, a 16-inch sealed sub reaching 14.5 Hz at ±3 dB in a 19-inch cube is impressive. Sealed designs also tend to blend more easily with music and behave better in small rooms; we explain why in ported vs sealed subwoofers.
What we don’t know yet is how much output they deliver in the deepest octave compared with Klipsch’s ported RP subs. Independent measurements will tell us more once they ship. Until then, the current ported RP-1400SW remains the output-per-dollar choice for big rooms.
Reference Premiere III speakers
The new speaker range has nine models built around a redesigned Tractrix horn tweeter in a flush-mounted assembly and Cerametallic woofers. Highlights include the RP-8203F tower (dual 8-inch woofers, $799.99 each), the RP-6103M bookshelf ($699.99 each), the RP-5403C centre with four 5¼-inch woofers ($749.99) and the Pro-180 RPC in-ceiling speaker, which is already available. Klipsch showed them in a 7.4.4 system with four of the new 16-inch subs and an Onkyo receiver at Audio Advice Live in August.
Should you wait?
- Buying a Klipsch sub for a small or medium room? It’s worth waiting a few weeks to see the RP-1200CSW’s reviews and street price.
- Need maximum output in a big room now? The ported RP-1400SW and our home theater picks are proven choices.
- On a tighter budget? The Klipsch R-121SW is the brand’s value 12-inch. Want wireless? These subs, like many Klipsch models, accept the WA-2 kit.